Configuring the VEX Cortex for a WIRED connection using USB

This is a guide for setting up the VEX Cortex using the USB A-to-A cable. These steps are required the first time you use your computer to program a specific VEX Cortex, or after you've upated ROBOTC to the latest verstion. Once you've successfully completed these steps you can download your own programs without revisiting them. Note: Administrative privileges are required for some of these steps.

Note: Driver Installation

ROBOTC 3.05 and later automatically installs the necessary drivers for the VEX Cortex, VEXnet Joysticks, and USB-to-Serial Programming cable. If you need to download the drivers for troubleshooting purposes, you can still find them at www.ROBOTC.net/download/cortex:

The drivers for the CORTEX Microcontroller and VEXnet Joysticks are included in the ROBOTC 3.0 installers. If, for any reason, you need to download them separately, here are the downloads:

Step 1: Connect the Cortex to your PC

Connect the VEX Cortex directly to a USB port on your computer using the USB A-to-A cable. Allow a few seconds for Windows to recognize the device.

Connect a 7.2V Robot battery to the Cortex and move the POWER switch to the ON position. Optionally, you can connect two motors to MOTOR Ports 2 and 3 for testing a sample program later in the sequence. You can connect 3-wire motors directly, or the newer 2-wire motors using Motor Controller 29 cables.

Note: Technically, the battery is not necessary for downloading Master CPU Firmware and ROBOTC Firmware, but it has helped in cases where the USB ports on the computer provide too little power to facilitate a reliable connection to the Cortex.

Step 2: Platform Type and Communication Port

Specify that you are using the Cortex and how it is connected to your computer in ROBOTC. Go to Robot → Platform Type → Innovation First (IFI) and select "VEX 2.0 Cortex" or "Natural Language (VEX Cortex)".

Note: You should choose "VEX 2.0 Cortex" if you plan on programming using the standard ROBOTC language. Choose "Natural Language (VEX Cortex)" if you want to take advantage of the Natural Language commands in ROBOTC.

Then go to View and choose Select Communication Port.

The Select Communications Port for Platforms window will appear. From the Communications Port drop down list, you should see "Automatic Selection" and one of two additional options:

If your VEX Cortex is in "bootload mode" or running an older (2.x) version of the Master CPU Firmware, it will appear as a "USB Wired Cable" option in the list.

If your VEX Cortex is running a newer (3.x) version of the Master CPU Firmware, it will appear as a "Vex Robotics Comm Port" in the list.

Make sure that "Automatic Selection" or one of the two legitimate options is selected. If you ever plan on programming your robot wirelessly over VEXnet, choosing "Automatic Selection" is recommended. Press OK to save your choice.

Important: If the "USB Wired Cable" or "Vex Robotics Comm Port" options do not appear in the drop down menu when a VEX Cortex is connected, this may indicate that Windows has not recognized the device or access to it is blocked. Ensure that the VEX Cortex Device Driver was successfully installed with Administrative Privileges, disconnect and reconnect your Cortex from the computer, and press "Refresh List" to force ROBOTC to repopulate the list.

Step 3: Updating VEX Cortex Firmware

A message will appear, informing you that the software will update your Cortex to the latest Master CPU and ROBOTC Firmware files. Press OK to begin the process.

A Download Progress window will appear, showing the progress of the Master CPU Firmware download.

When the Master CPU Firmware download is complete, a ROBOTC Message will appear and inform you that it will now update the ROBOTC firmware, if needed. Press OK to continue the process.

Note: If this is the first time a VEX Cortex running the 3.x Master CPU Firmware has been connected to your computer, Windows will recognize it as a new device, and may prompt you to verify the new hardware installation. Press Continue or Continue Anyway to complete the installation.

If your ROBOTC Firmware is out-of-date, another Download Progress window will appear and begin the ROBOTC Firmware download.

When the download completes, another ROBOTC Message will appear. Press OK to complete the process.

Notes:

Once this step is complete, you should no longer need Administrative privileges on your computer; you should be able to download Master CPU Firmware, ROBOTC firmware, and ROBOTC programs in a permissions-restricted account. Only future updates to ROBOTC and the VEX Cortex Device Driver will require Administrative privileges. Exception: On some computers, Windows may prompt you to "install new hardware" each time the Cortex is plugged in on a different USB port. To alleviate the issue, connect the updated VEX Cortex on each USB port as an administrator (no need to redownload firmware), or dedicate one USB port for communication with the VEX Cortex.

You only need to download the Firmware once, when you first start using a VEX Cortex with ROBOTC, or when you upgrade to a newer version of ROBOTC. You do not need to re-download the firmware every time you want to download code. If the download fails, disconnect the VEX Cortex from your computer and turn it off. Then reconnect it to the computer, allow a few seconds to ensure that Windows recognizes it, turn it on, and try downloading the firmware again.